Sandy Hook survivors welcomed at new school

Updated 1:21 p.m. ET

MONROE, Conn. The children who escaped last month's shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown were welcomed Wednesday to a school in a neighboring town that was overhauled specially for them.

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Orientation day for Sandy Hook students

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Heroism of Sandy Hook teachers

The open house at the former Chalk Hill School in Monroe marks the students' first time in a formal classroom setting since the massacre on Dec. 14, when a gunman killed 20 of their fellow classmates and six educators. Classes are starting for the Sandy Hook students on Thursday.

The road leading to the school in a rural, largely residential neighborhood was lined with signs greeting the students, saying "Welcome Sandy Hook Elementary School" and "Welcome. You are in our prayers." Several police cars were parked outside the school.

Teams of workers, many of them volunteers, prepared the former Chalk Hill middle school with fresh paint and new furniture and even raised bathroom floors so the smaller elementary school students can reach the toilets. The students' desks, backpacks and other belongings that were left behind following the shooting were taken to the new school to make them feel at home. Superintendent Janet Robinson said the rooms may not look exactly the same, but the school has been renamed Sandy Hook Elemntary.

Monroe police officers said at a press conference Wednesday it was "the safest school" in the country.

Counselors say it's important for children to get back to a normal routine and for teachers and parents to offer sensitive reassurances.

When classes start on Thursday, Robinson said teachers will try to make it as normal a school day as possible for the children.

"We want to get back to teaching and learning," she said. "We will obviously take time out from the academics for any conversations that need to take place, and there will be a lot of support there. All in all, we want the kids to reconnect with their friends and classroom teachers, and I think that's going to be the healthiest thing."

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[AndyGra111]

That is "especially", not specially. Does no one know English any more?

[sky_rawr]

Why are the students being taken to a new school? This seems a little fishy to me

[Evi_81]

Why does it sound fishy? I've seen quite a few parents state they do not want their kids to return to that school. Kinda hard to look at the place after a massacre like that, wouldn't you think?

[hnebabies4ever]

There is nothing fishy about students needing to get back to school. It is quite impossible to send them back to a school building that is still being treated as a crime scene with an investagation still ongoing. Police have stated from the begining they would treat the school building as evidence and it could be months before they turn it back over to the school district.

[Rohitiswrite]

The National Rifle Association has a New Year's Resolution! And it is not good for you. Check it out at:

http://rohitiswrite.weebly.com/national-rifle-association---new-year-resolution.html

[pamom2002]

does anyone else notice the creepy face on the bus window?

Spll

[ufcfanatic73]

Quote: Superintendent Janet Robinson said the rooms may not look exactly the same, but the school has been renamed Sandy Hook Elemntary

Hopefully they spell it correct when the make the sign...

[Newshound1001]

Someone posted a wonderful tribute to the Sandy Hook victims:

http://youtu.be/aQexLEVBMlE

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[rugratz2222]

@jackburton1 ... the link is fantastic and the blog makes too much common sense. So obviously it is NOT going to be considered by the local authorities.

[jackburton1]

Here is a real column from Philadelphia Magazine on why it is ridiculous to keep Sandy Hook closed and buy bulletproof backpacks for our children. Finally a commentator who gets it!

Ballistic Backpacks And Closing Sandy Hook Are Not Solutions

http://blogs.phillymag.com/the_philly_post/2013/01/02/gun-control-school-metal-detectors-solve-problem/

[dman6015]

I can agree that gun control would help. But in the Sandy Hook case, metal detectors would not have prevented it. He came blasting through the glass doors/windows. No metal detector is going to stop that.